Display stand



F. w. KRAMER 1,726,990

Sept. 3, 1929.

DI-SPLAY sum) Filed Nov. 5, 1928 5 F l 7 Z 4 [042???5565. 27 y 5 wa gfore Patented Sept. 3, 192 9.

UNITED STATES FRANCIS 'W. KRAMER,

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

DISPLAY STAND.

Application filed November The main objects of this invention are toprovide an improved form of display stand of the type involving the useof a rotatable shelf on which articles are to be exhibited; to provideimproved means for supporting the rotatable shelf; to provide improvedmechanism for driving the shelf; to provide improved means for guidingthe shelf in its rotation; and to provide a display stand of this kindhaving an unobstructed center so as to permit the shelf to rotate arounda central post or column.

An illustrative embodiment of this invention is shown in theaccompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a top plan of a display devicebuilt around a central post shown in section; certain parts of thedisplay device being shown in dotted outline.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same, with portions broken away.

Figs. 3 and 4 are sections taken on the lines 8-3 and 4=et respectivelyof Fig. 1.

A common form of display device heretoin use included an annular shelfmounted on a centrally located spider or similar bearing provided with aspindle or shaft and driven by suitable mechanism. Such prior deviceswere generally satisfactory for certain uses but they were not adaptedto be built around a vertical column, because the centers of thosedisplay devices were obstructed by the bearing parts which supported theshelves.

The improved display device to which this invention is applied includesa rotatable shelf, which has a central unobstructed space adapted toreceive a column or similar structure.

In the form shown, the improved display device comprises a supportingframe 1, adapted to be built around a central post or column 2, andhaving rotatably supported thereon a shelf 3 driven by driving mechanismi and guided in its rotation by guide means 5.

In the construction illustrated, the frame 1 is rectangular in form andcomprises side rails 6 and 7, supported on a pair of substantiallyparallel rails 8, which are connected to cross braces 9.

The entire frame 1 is supported on a pair of substantially parallelhorizontal rails 10, located on respectively opposite sides of thecolumn 2, and to which they are clamped by Serial no. 317,320.

a pair of bolts 11, secured to the ends of the rails 10.

Mounted on the rails 8, are four swiveled anti-friction rollers 12 onwhich the shelf 3 is loosely supported for rotation around the post 2.

In the embodiment illustrated, the shelf 3 is annual and comprises apair of separable semi-circular sections 13, having their ends providedwith lap joints and detachably secured together by bolts 14 or othersuitable fastening means, so as to, permit the shelf to be readilyassembled around the post.

The driving mechanism 4iincludes a vertical drive shaft 15, arranged tofrictionally engage the inner periphery of the annular shelf The shaft15 is rotatably mounted in bearings 16 and 17 mounted on respectivelyopposite sides of one of the rails 8. A collar 18 is mounted on theshaft 15 for engaging the bearing 17 to secure the shaft in itsoperative position.

Mounted on the lower end of the shaft 15, is a pulley 19, connected by abelt 20 to an electric motor 21 suspended from the frame 1.

In the form illustrated, the guide means 5 includes three idlers 22arranged to engage the inner periphery of the shelf for guiding theshelf in its rotation. Two of the idlers are located on the two sides ofthe post adjacent the drive shaft 15 and are mounted on verticalbrackets 23, which are rigidly secured to cleats 2 1 mounted on thecross braces 9.

The third idler 22 is located diametrically opposed to the drive shaft15 and is mounted on a hinged bracket 25, which is hinged to a cleat- 26secured to the adjacent rail 8. The bracket 25 is yieldingly urgedoutwardly by means of a spring 27, so as to cause its idler 22 to urgethe shelf 3 into frictional contact with the drive shaft 15. One end ofthe spring 27 is secured to the bracket 25 and its other end is securedto the adjacent rail 7 In operation, to assemble the device, the rails10 are clamped to the post 2 by the bolts 11 and the frame 1 is thenassembled around the post and placed on the rails 10.

The sections 13 of the shelf 8 are then placed on the rollers .12 andthe ends thereof secured together by the bolts 14.

lVith this improved construction and arrangement of parts, the center ofthe device is an obstructed space which will permit the parts to bereadily assembled around a post.

The shelf is secured against wabbling by the idlers 22 and the shaft 15.

Although but one specific embodiment of this invention has been hereinshown and described, it Will be understood that numerous details of theconstruction shown may be altered or omitted without departing from thespirit of this invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A display stand comprising a support, an annular shelf rotatablymounted on said support'and having a centrally located unobstructedspace for receiving a post, mechanism for driving said shelf, aplurality of rollers engaging the inner periphery of said shelf forguiding said shelf in its rotation, and means for yieldingly urging oneof said rollers outwardly toward said shelf.

2. A display stand comprising a support, an annular shelf rotatablymounted on said support and having a centrally located unobstructedspace for receiving a post, mechanism located on one side of said spacefor driving said shelf, and'an idler located on the opposite side ofsaid space and yieldingly urged into engagement with the inner peripheryof said shelf.

3. A display stand comprising a support, an annular shelf rotatablymounted on said support and having a centrally located unobstructedspace for receiving a post, a drive shaft located on one side of saidspace and frictionally engaging the inner periphery of said shelf, anidler located on the opposite side of said space and engaging the innerperiphery of said shelf, and a spring urging said idler outwardly.

4. A display device comprising a supporting frame having a centrallylocated unobstructed space for receiving a post, rollers on said frame,an annular shelf rotatably supported on said rollers, said shelfincluding separable sections adapted to be assembled around the post,'adrive shaft located on one side of said space and engaging the innerperiphery of said shelf, a plurality of idlers on said frame engagingsaid inner periphery, and a spring urging one of said idlers outwardly.

Signed at Chicago this first day of November, 1928.

FRANCIS WV. KRAMER.

